Periodontal Disease Treatment – North Bethesda, MD
Save Your Smile from Infection
If you’re over the age of 35, then statistically speaking gum disease is your biggest risk factor when it comes to tooth loss. Distressingly enough, more than half of American adults have gum disease, and the condition has even been linked with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other potentially dangerous conditions. In short, untreated gum disease can take its toll on your oral health, so our team at Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of North Bethesda makes sure to keep an eye out for warning signs of this condition during each and every six-month checkup. This involves checking the depths of the pockets between the teeth and gums and seeing if any recession has occurred. As soon as we notice worrisome signs of gingivitis or periodontitis (the two major kinds of gum disease), we’ll respond with an appropriate form of periodontal disease treatment from our North Bethesda, MD dentist.
Why Choose Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of North Bethesda for Periodontal Disease Treatment?
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Keep Oral Damage
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Two Caring,
Experienced Dentists -
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Scaling & Root Planing
Scaling and root planing are different steps of the deep cleaning process that’s normally required to remove all of the plaque and tartar that’s contributing to gum disease. The scaling part of the process involves cleaning the teeth as far down as the pockets that have formed between the teeth and gums. Then, for the root planing phase, we remove any remaining bacteria deposits and smooth out the roots of the teeth so that the gums can reattach themselves properly.
Laser Periodontal Therapy
Lasers can be used to eliminate the bacteria causing gum disease, and they can even remove the sections of gum tissue that have already been damaged beyond repair. This advanced technology makes scaling and root planing even more effective, and it even significantly cuts down on the amount of time that you will need to recover from the procedure afterwards.
Antibiotic Therapy
Antibiotic therapy is usually prescribed after scaling and root planing as well as the Chao Pinhole Technique. Simply put, you’ll either be given pills or a medicated mouthwash to use as directed following your treatment. Doing so will help stop harmful bacteria from accumulating again so that your mouth has a chance to heal. To make sure the antibiotics are working, we’ll schedule a follow-up appointment with you after a certain number of weeks.
Chao Pinhole Technique
The Chao Pinhole Surgical Technique is a way to reverse gum recession in a non-invasive way. Gum disease can cause your gum tissue to recede and expose the roots of your teeth, which might lead to even worse damage and could ultimately result in your teeth coming loose or becoming lost altogether. With this technique, we can remove damaged tissue and move the remaining healthy tissue to cover the roots for protection.
Treatment for Gingivitis
Gingivitis is gum disease in its mildest form. It first happens when the plaque building up in your mouth around the gum line begins to irritate the nearby tissue. Symptoms usually include swelling, discoloration, inflammation, and bleeding; however, the signs are often so subtle that you might not even notice them on their own. If gingivitis is found, it can be reversed with frequent professional teeth cleanings and good oral hygiene. More advanced treatment can be attempted if these methods don’t yield the desired results the first time.
Advanced Treatment for Periodontal Disease
As gingivitis continues to irritate the gums, sores will form, an infection will occur, and the nearby tissue will start to break down. As a result, space known as a periodontal pocket will start to form between the teeth and gums. The tissues holding the teeth in place will slowly be lost, and eventually you will be left with a gap in your smile. All of these symptoms are associated with periodontitis, the more advanced form of gum disease. It’s also associated with bleeding gums, pus between the teeth, sensitive soft tissue, and bad breath. Periodontitis usually requires more than a regular cleaning; treatment typically begins with scaling and root planing to remove plaque, tartar, and infected gum tissue before smoothing out the roots of the teeth.
The initial scaling and root planing is then followed up with more frequent teeth cleanings. Antibiotic therapy and periodontal surgery may also be administered as necessary. Particularly severe cases may require the attention of a periodontist, and we will refer you to such a specialist if need be. We will work closely with them to make sure that you continue to receive the high quality care that you normally receive at our dental office.
Schedule Your Appointment Today
Have you noticed any of the warning signs of gum disease noted above? Call Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of North Bethesda immediately to set up an appointment. An early diagnosis for gum disease tends to lead to more successful treatments and better long-term outcomes.